SCWF was thrilled to bring back the popular Women’s Outdoor Retreat this year after cancelling in 2020 due to COVID-19. This weekend event is designed for women to experience nature and outdoor recreation with like-minded ladies in a non-competitive environment. Nature walks, kayaking, fishing, outdoor cooking, and archery were just a few of the nearly 30 classes from which to choose.

The 2021 Retreat was presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and sponsored by Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. We were pleased to have the support of several outfitters and organizations including the SC Department of Natural Resources, Artemis South Carolina, Earth Connection Outfitters, Angling Women, Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, SASS (Surviving Assault Standing Strong), Chattooga River Fly Shop, All In Kennels, John De La Howe School, Clemson Sandhills Research Station, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Nature Adventure Outfitters. These partnerships enabled us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert volunteer instructors. A special thank you is due to the numerous individual volunteers who so willingly donated their time to share their knowledge and expertise. Please thank them for their contributions to our event.

Event Co-chairs – Dan Turpin & BeBe Dalton Harrison

Archery – Wes Ballard & Gina Spear (handouts: USA Archery; SCDNR Archery in Schools Program; Shooting Sports Program; Take-one-Make-one Women’s Clinics)

Backpacking – Glenn Gardner (handouts: NOLS Expeditions; Backpacker – what to pack; REI backpacking info; NOLS “bathroom questions” video)

Backyard Wildlife Habitat – Jay Keck

Before & After the Hunt – Morgan Harrell

Bird Dog Demonstration – Hunter & Hope Morton

Birding – Jay Keck

Camping – Cody & Trista Bishop

Canoeing – Chris Hall (thank you to John de la Howe School for canoes!)

Coastal Crafts – BeBe Dalton Harrison, Susan Dalton, Angling Women

Eco-Hiking – Tara Boone, April Rodgers, Heather Bock

Essential Oils – Sherrie Hightower

Fly Fishing & Fly Tying – Karl Ekberg

Freshwater Fishing – Bernie and Alice Clegg, and Ed Ettinger (thank you to SC Department of Natural Resources for fishing equipment!)

Hunting 101 – Denetta Dawson & Stephanie Brown

Hypertufa Planters – Harley Carpenter & Alison Pederson

Kayaking – Elizabeth Anderegg & April Childress (thank you to Clemson Sandhills REC for kayaks!)

Lake Thurmond Paddle Tour – Andrea Turpin

Map and Compass Reading – Penny Ginn

Nature Photography – Karen Beshears (info for Carolina Nature Photographer’s Assoc here)

Nature Spa – Beth Rivers, Maria Campbell & Melissa Goudelock

Outdoor Cooking – Ed Holland

Paddleboarding – Jimmy and Ginnie Smith, Earth Connection Outfitters, McCormick

SC Road Trips – Sara Green (class handout available here)

Self Defense – Lisa Ewart, SASS Go (Surviving Assault Standing Strong)

Skeet Shooting – Hubert Cox & Kevin Cox

Yoga – Gail Crouch

Behind the Scenes Volunteers Extraordinaire – Ginger Snelgrove, David, Kylene, Kyle & Savannah Turpin

Raffle Prize Donors – Dick’s Sporting Goods, Angling Women, Dan Turpin, Beth Rivers, Linda Harrell, Chattooga River Fly Shop, Karen Beshears, Nature Adventure Outfitters

SCWF Staff – Sara Green, Angi Fuller Wildt, Jay Keck

Hickory Knob Staff – Jennifer Wilkie, Jermaine Jennings, Jan Danner, Ronisha Bundy, Michelle Sealy, Renea Bundrick

Click on the photo below to scroll through photos from the event!